relationships (Judges 9:22-57) Choosing Good Allies

(Judges 9:22-57)  Now Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. 23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem; and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 so that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal would come, and the responsibility for their blood would be placed on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the leaders of Shechem, who encouraged him to kill his brothers. 25 The leaders of Shechem set up men in ambush against him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed everyone who would pass by them on the road; and it was reported to Abimelech.

26 Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his relatives, and crossed over into Shechem; and the leaders of Shechem trusted him. 27 So they went out to the field and gathered the grapes of their vineyards and trampled them, and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god, and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech. 28 Then Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is Zebul not his governor? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? 29 If only this people were under my authority! Then I would do away with Abimelech.” And he said to Abimelech, “Enlarge your army and come out!”

30 When Zebul the leader of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned. 31 So using deception, he successfully sent messengers to Abimelech, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem; and behold, they are stirring up the city against you. 32 So now, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. 33 Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early and attack the city; and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall do to them whatever you can.”

34 So Abimelech and all the people who were with him got up at night, and lay in wait against Shechem, in four units. 35 Now Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate; and Abimelech and the people who were with him arose from the ambush. 36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” But Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadow of the mountains as if they were people.” 37 And Gaal spoke yet again and said, “Look, people are coming down from the highest part of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the diviners’ oak.” 38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where then is your boasting with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people whom you rejected? Go out now and fight them!” 39 So Gaal went out in the sight of the leaders of Shechem and fought Abimelech. 40 But Abimelech chased him, and he fled from him; and many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate. 41 Then Abimelech stayed in Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not stay in Shechem.

42 Now it came about the next day, that the people went out to the field, and it was reported to Abimelech. 43 So he took his people and divided them into three units, and lay in wait in the field; when he looked and saw the people coming out from the city, he attacked them and killed them. 44 Then Abimelech and the company who was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the city gate; the other two companies then attacked all who were in the field and killed them. 45 Abimelech fought against the city that whole day, and he captured the city and killed the people who were in it; then he tore down the city and sowed it with salt.

46 When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard about it, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. 47 And it was reported to Abimelech that all the leaders of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, and lifted it and put it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you saw me do, hurry and do likewise.” 49 So all the people also cut down, each one, his branch and followed Abimelech, and put them on top of the inner chamber and set the inner chamber on fire over those inside, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.

50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled there and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower. 52 So Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and approached the entrance of the tower to burn it down with fire. 53 But a woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. 54 Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. 55 Now when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each left for his home. 56 So God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers. 57 God also returned all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads, and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came upon them.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Justice was served! This was God allowing consequences to fall onto the people who were responsible.  Evil begets evil.  People who seek to do evil eventually turn on each other.  One can think they are allies and cozy with these people - and then suddenly - they are not!

Back in grade nine, I compromised my values in order to fit in with a certain group of "friends" - only to have them become my enemies who spread hurtful slander about me, so no one wanted to be my friend.  I began to feel very unworthy and far too ashamed to even talk to my parents about this.  But the worst part was, I had strayed away from the Lord!  Therefore my conscience was really bothering me.  And all of this happened just over a couple of months!

What I went through was enough for me to see and know that I never want to rebel or stray away from God, ever again.  My desire is to always seek after the Lord.  This doesn't mean that I always do everything as I should.  And there have been months where I neglected to have personal devotions or talking earnestly with God; but then when I started those things up again - what a difference it makes!  And what a peace there is in knowing that because God extends His grace to us, we will never lose our salvation!  

Therefore, I will gratefully continue to run (back) to Him, over and over again!  Even when and especially when I go through tests and trials, although I do prefer to avoid consequences of my own stupid mistakes!!!  So WHY would I NOT want to surround myself with godly people, who are allies with the Lord, to be my closest friends of support and guidance?  WHY would I NOT want to have daily devotions and constant prayer with the One who saved me and cares for me and will never leave me or betray me!!!  Therefore, I choose to stay close to the sovereign Lord of everlasting lovingkindness as my constant go-to-ally!!!

relationships (Judges 9:1-21) Seek Nourishment That is Renewing

(Judges 9:1-21)  Now Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother’s relatives, and spoke to them and to the entire family of the household of his mother’s father, saying, 2 “Speak, now, in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: for seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, to rule over you, or for one man to rule over you?’ Also, remember that I am your bone and your flesh.” 3 So his mother’s relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem; and they were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our relative.” 4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men, and they followed him. 5 Then he went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. 6 All the leaders of Shechem and all Beth-millo assembled together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the memorial stone which was in Shechem.

7 Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and raised his voice and called out. And he said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. 8 Once the trees went to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’ 9 But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I give up my fatness with which God and mankind are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’ 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ 11 But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’ 12 Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ 13 But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I give up my new wine, which cheers God and mankind, and go to wave over the trees?’ 14 Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ 15 And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out of the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’

16 “Now then, if you have acted with honesty and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have dealt with him as he deserved— 17 for my father fought for you, and risked his life and saved you from the hand of Midian; 18 but in fact you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— 19 so if you have acted with honesty and integrity toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, be joyful about Abimelech, and may he also be joyful about you. 20 But if not, may fire come out of Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out of the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech.” 21 Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer; and he stayed there because of his brother Abimelech.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Evil will always try to get the good to come over to its side, but its intentions are never to do good or be good.  Evil is selfish and self-serving.  Evil will promise things and appear desirable in order to lure people in;  but  one will have to compromise and accept corruption.  Just like the bramble promised shade to the trees, evil will only lead to disappointment, despair and destruction.  

Observe the reactions of the olive tree, fig tree and vine.  They didn't want to leave God's side because there they had purpose, productivity, and sweet fulfilling joy, why would we ever want to stray, even if there was a "promise" of greatness?  

People and relationships can promise many things, but if they are sincere believers in the Lord, these will (eventually) lead us astray.  This doesn't mean that we should run away from the world.  We are to be in the world and not of it.  How else can we be a witness to the lost?  We just need to be wise in our efforts.  Therefore, it is important that we surround ourselves with believers who also desire to stay near the Lord.

When we hear and obey God's words in His strength and wisdom, God will hear us and help us.  To experience His goodness, we must go to God's side - and stay there with Him to be nourished and tended to!!!  God is good, and delivers on His promises.

(Matthew 7:18-20)  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.

(Romans 12:2)  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

relationships (Judges 8:4-35) Each Step Comes With Decisions

(Judges 8:4-35) Then Gideon and the three hundred men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over, exhausted yet still pursuing. 5 And he said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” 6 But the leaders of Succoth said, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?” 7 So Gideon said, “For this answer, when the Lord has handed over to me Zebah and Zalmunna, I will thrash your bodies with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.” 8 Then he went up from there to Penuel and spoke similarly to them; and the men of Penuel answered him just as the men of Succoth had answered. 9 So he said also to the men of Penuel, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower.”

10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their armies with them, about fifteen thousand men, all who were left of the entire army of the people of the east; for the fallen were 120,000 swordsmen. 11 Gideon went up by the way of those who lived in tents to the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and he attacked the camp when the camp was unsuspecting. 12 When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued them and captured the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and routed the entire army.

13 Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres. 14 And he captured a youth from Succoth and questioned him. Then the youth wrote down for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders, seventy-seven men. 15 And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’” 16 Then he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and he disciplined the men of Succoth with them. 17 And he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

18 Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “Where were the men whom you killed at Tabor?” But they said, “You and they were alike, each one resembling the son of a king.” 19 And he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the Lord lives, if only you had let them live, I would not kill you.” 20 So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise, kill them.” But the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth. 21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Rise up yourself, and attack us; for as the man, so is his strength.” So Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescent amulets which were on their camels’ necks.

22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, your son’s son as well, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian!” 23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.” 24 Yet Gideon said to them, “I would request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For they had gold earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) 25 And they said, “We will certainly give them to you.” So they spread out a garment, and every one of them tossed an earring there from his plunder. 26 The weight of the gold earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, apart from the crescent amulets, the ear pendants, and the purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and apart from the neck chains that were on their camels’ necks. 27 Gideon made it into an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah; but all Israel committed infidelity with it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household.

28 So Midian was subdued before the sons of Israel, and they did not lift up their heads anymore. And the land was undisturbed for forty years in the days of Gideon.

29 Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house. 30 Now Gideon had seventy sons who were his direct descendants, for he had many wives. 31 And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. 32 And Gideon the son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

33 Then it came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the sons of Israel again committed infidelity with the Baals, and made Baal-berith their god. 34 So the sons of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had saved them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; 35 nor did they show kindness to the household of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in accordance with all the good that he had done for Israel.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

None of us are perfect, not even Gideon, as we see at the end of this chapter.  As the focus is about relationships, again, we have to realize that just because someone in the Bible who followed God had more than one wife - does not mean that God endorses or approves of this.  Note that in verse 27, the ephod that Gideon made was a snare to him and his household.  

An ephod is like a breastplate of honor and position that people revered.  The high priest of Israel wore one.  As soon as we put ourselves, or an object, or another person, or another god ahead of the Lord, our lives will begin to derail.  Success, even if God got us there, can go to our heads if we take our eyes off of the Lord.

Behind all of that are the sins of self-centeredness, selfishness and pride.  In the last devotion entry, we saw Gideon telling the men of Ephraim that what they contributed to the war-efforts by supplying food and drink was just as valuable as what Gideon had done.  But perhaps towards the end, Gideon took for granted and even forgot about what everyone had done to help, and most importantly, forgot how God gave them the victory!  And so in the end, the people forgot about all the good that Gideon had done.  As well, they completely forgot about God.

Yet, interestingly enough, it is far more difficult to forget the bad things people have done.  Like Gideon going back to attack those who had not given them food and drink.  I'm not sure if the Lord wanted Gideon to do that or not, but it was selfish of those other people not to give nourishment to those who were helping to keep the area safe.  

For us now, the Lord Jesus tells us to go the extra mile, to be generously gracious and giving.  And He tells us to not seek retribution (an eye for an eye), but humbly turn the other cheek, and forgive.  I have an awesome memory, so I have found the value in forgiving those who have hurt me.  I've even had to ask God to forgive someone FOR me, and it was then that I felt a weight lift off of me, and instantaneously I felt love and compassion for that person.  I KNOW that was definitely a God-thing!  So when I do this (forgive people), I can actually think back to those hurtful times without feeling any fear, anger or bitterness.  I have true "closure" and peace about how God has helped me move on in life.  

We have choices to make in these circumstances, when faced with the temptations of pride, self-centeredness and selfishness.  While there isn't anything wrong with being "paid" for one's work and efforts, I'm thinking about what else Gideon could have done with that gold!  Why did he make a perfectly useless but extravagant piece of clothing???  Was this an example of retail therapy?  These kinds of things will only help us feel temporarily good about ourselves.

Meanwhile, when we embrace our relationship with the Lord, and lean on His strength and wisdom, we can be joyful, confident and fulfilled with a sense of purpose!  The peace and grace of salvation through the Lord is a long-term-therapy!  And just the "simple" act of having devotions every day will keep reminding us of what God has done, is doing, and will do for us!  

Will our lives be perfect, free from suffering or making mistakes?  No.  This is why God extends His grace to His children.  But each step that we make comes with a decision - to do things our way or to do things God's way and trust that He will work things out for good.  

It is a continuous journey.  And like any relationship, it requires "work" - staying in touch!  A two-way-communication.  God has given us His Holy Spirit as well as His word which is God speaking and sharing His heart with us.  And we are to reciprocate with prayers, which is how we can share our hearts with Him... the best listener, helper and friend one can find anywhere!  He is our perfect example of true selflessness and sacrificial love.  Therefore, we can boast in the Lord, and give Him all the honor and glory.